Digital BW, The Print

----- Original Message -----
From: "jimhayes361" <jimhayes@...>
To: <DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2002 7:45 PM
Subject: [Digital BW] Re: Vacuum Filling Virgin Cartridges for the 1280


> --- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "Martin Wesley"
> <mwesley250@e...> wrote:
>
> > I believe that the loss of vacuum was due to an incomplete seal of
> the yellow tape (snip) it with Scotch
> tape to make sure this is well sealed before I start.
>
>
> Interesting that has never happened yet to me with this procedure. I
> suggest using black electrical tape though.

I will give it a try.
>
> How many times did you pull the pump back? I do it about ten times...

About 5 pulls but I held the plunger all the way out for about 5 sec on each
pull.
>
> >
> > Remember to order enough of the small black rubber balls to seal the
> fill ports on all the chambers you plan to load (plus some extras to
> drop and have roll under the refrigerator.).
>
> In a bind you can also put electrical tape over the fill holes, or buy
> an O-ring that is METRIC- 4milimeters in x-section. Cut it up and
> stick in holes- looser than the balls but it does go in.

Good tip on covering the fill holes.
>
> >
>(snip)
>
> I forgot to pinch the tube twice and both times the vacuum was so good
> the ink was heading straight for the valve. I had to pinch the tube at
> the last moment by doubling over between fingers...I pinch the tube
> with the blue clamp by pressing with fingers on either side of clamp-
> right up against both sides of clamp. It works better this way.

I think that was what I was doing. I may just be more fumble fingered.
>
> >
(snip)

> I never had this problem either. Even after shaking the bottles up a
> bit, and leaving them for 15 minutes to settle, I insert the needle
> deeply into the bottle, well past the foam, towards the bottom of
> bottle. I draw up about 5 ml then squirt it back in, then redraw. This
> gets most of the air out, I only draw an extra ml at most. BTW, I also
> use 20ml syringes instead of the 30 ml syringes...more accurate, fit
> in bottle better, less bulk.

I was getting the needle well below the surface but I may have been drawing
it in too vigorously. The 20 ml syringes would be better but I did not see
any when I ordered from MIS. Can you recommend a source for them?
>
(snip)
>
> I wait a couple of hours with the fill holes unstoppered (I use small
> cheap corks from Ace Hardware to initially stopper during chamber
> filling). I find the sponges expand a bit and esp at beginning, ink
> will dribble out a tiny bit. I catch this by pulling out one cork at a
> time and sticking a towel twisted into a "finger" into the hole to sop
> up the discharge before it gets messy. Thern I uncork the next hole.
> When the second hole is unstoppered the first starts to bleed again,
> so be prepared to catch it again from first hole. After two hours I
> insert the balls.

Another great tip!
> >
> > I also found the chip installation a bit difficult. Be sure you
> follow the directions carefully on this. (snip)
>
> I was gluing with silicone RTV but have since switched to a soldering
> iron with a 0.8mm tip to melt the two nibs after chip is pushed on.

More good advice.
> >
> > Can these chips be reset with the QB7 chip resetter or is that for
> original Epson chips only?
>
> No, I use this method.

I think I wound up with a double negative in my question. So you do use the
QB7 to reset the MIS chips?
>
> >
(snip)
> >
> > Buy enough rivets so you can seal the cartridge openings if you
> decide to take them out and use a different ink set. (Or are the MIS
> virgin carts self sealing like the Epson carts?)
>
> No, unfortunately.
>
>
>  I also put some tape
> back over the vent holes when I took the partially used set of
> cartridges out.
>
> My own opinion: I wouldn't tempt fate too much reinserting a used cart
> unless it was an Epson with real poppet valves.
>
(snip)

> vacuum fill tubes would be nice too but they are $10.00 each.
>
> I have separate sets and it goes fine. I clean up with final distilled
> H2O rinse and later run compressed air through tubing.
>
> >
(snip)
>
> >
> > I assume these inks are tolerant of some moisture since it is
> impossible to get all the moisture out of the vacuum tube assemble
> after cleaning.
>
> No problem with a 3 gallon air compressor set to 60 psi and an inline
> dryer.<g>

I should have run a line to my compressed nitrogen tank.

(snip)
>
> I have incontinent pads, green things that lie flat (bought for an old
> cat with bladder problems). It soaks up spills ammazingly. I just put
> it down and use it as a working surface.

Ah, Puppy Pads! I have a bunch right now.

Thanks for all the good feedback.

Martin